Museums and Castles events

Join the Castleford Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Wakefield Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Pontefract Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Enjoy a magnificent evening of music and light as Pontefract Castle proudly presents the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra. Bring along friends and loved ones to listen to moving melodies as the sun goes down over the Castle.
Prepare to be transported on an orchestral odyssey!
The concert will end with a fantastic firework finale.

Tickets:
Adults: £18 (plus £1.51 booking fee)
Child (aged 5 to 16): £14.50 (plus £1.22 booking fee)
Under 5s: Free and no ticket needed
Disabled person and registered carer: £18 plus £1.51 booking fee (price of 1 adult ticket, valid for 2 people). Proof of carer status required*.
Personalised shout outs: £5 plus £0.42 booking fee per shout out. Limited availability!

Full info and book tickets for Proms at the Castle

Mamma Mia, here we go again! Join us for an ABBA-tastic afternoon at Pontefract Castle with authentic ABBA tribute band ‘The Super-Duper Troopers’. 
Enjoy classic platform-stomping hits, iconic choreography, spellbinding vocals and dazzling costumes. You even get free festival glitter included! You will be shining like the sun, feeling like a number one. 
Come on all you Dancing Queens and Kings, Take A Chance on this ABBA Extravaganza!

Tickets:
Adults: £18 (plus £1.51 booking fee)
Child (aged 5 to 16): £8.50 (plus £0.71 booking fee)
Under 5s: Free and no ticket needed
Disabled person and registered carer: £18 plus £1.51 booking fee (price of 1 adult ticket, valid for 2 people). Proof of carer status required*.
VIP tickets (admits 4 people): £110 plus £9.24 booking fee. Includes reserved picnic table, bottle of prosecco, and meet and greet the band after the show. Limited availability!

The gates will open at 4pm. The show will begin at 5pm, with two 45-minute sets. There will then be more 70s music to keep the party going until 8pm!

Book ABBA at the Castle

Join Charlie Bear every Tuesday during term time for a lively session of storytelling, crafts and rhymes!

We’ll be inspired by museum objects and a different theme each month. There's also a weekly Charlie Bear Challenge to try together!

Activities link to the following of your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5

#4 Make your Mark

#6 Rhyme Time

#10 Sharing books

#40 Happy History

Every Tuesday in term time, 10am – 11am

Free – No booking required

Join Ilbert the Dragon at Pontefract Castle for a fun and friendly afternoon of storytelling and hands on play!

Each month help Ilbert and his storyteller bring their books to life through music, props and actions. Then get stuck in with activities, crafts, games and rhymes. 

These sessions are a great way to spend time together and discover new ways of learning with your child.

Wednesday 2 July – Summer dragons

Are you ready for some dragon fun? Get those wings flapping and practice your roar! This month is all about fiery, friendly dragons and their adventures.  

Wednesday 3 September – Castles and bridges

Ilbert is building a tall castle and making a special bridge to keep the castle safe. Have fun building and making your own magnificent castles. Play with bridges and blocks.  

Wednesday 1 October – Autumn colours

Autumn leaves are bright and colourful. This season is a magical time to experiment and explore. Join Ilbert on an autumn adventure with a great story and activities. Play with leaf boats and make your own bright leafy friend.  

Wednesday 5 November – Spooky castles  

Boo! It’s spooky season and Ilbert is having fun with witches and ghosts. Help him mix up a potion. Make some magic this November.  

Wednesday 3 December – Christmas castle 

Join Ilbert for a jolly story. Help him lay out a Christmas feast. Make some winter decorations and have fun with crafts and games.   

Tickets £2.50 per child, accompanying adults free. Book Ilbert's Dragon Tales 

Do you have an interesting object that you’d like to show us or a story to tell us?

Our monthly Meet the Curator sessions are your chance to chat with our team.

No appointment required - just turn up with your questions, your stories or your objects!

Meet Alphabet Cat and take part in activities, rhymes and more! 

Each month there's a new theme to help you explore Wakefield Museum. 

Have fun learning and playing together and tick off the following on your 50 Things to do Before You’re 5:

#6 Rhyme Time, #7 Making Music, #11 Making Connections, #39 Talking Signs, #40 Happy History 

Every Thursday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am during term time. 

Free and no booking required

These sessions are designed for toddlers aged 2 to 5 and their families.

Please note: The fire alarms in Wakefield One are tested at 11am on Thursdays. We have ear defenders you and / or your children can borrow.

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Join the Castleford Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Wakefield Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Join the Pontefract Museum team, rain or shine, for free fun craft activities every Saturday.

With different themed crafts and activities each week, what will you make?

All activities and materials are provided and they’ll even tidy up afterwards!

Free and no booking required

Book tickets for Pontefract Castle Dungeon Tours

Ever wondered how to make and colour your own custom fabrics with natural techniques? Join us to take inspiration from our magical Medieval Herb Garden and discover the wonders of woad!

Learn how to safely set up a dye bath. Have a go at dyeing different fabrics with woad and seeing what colours develop.

Discover the stunning technique of Shibori. Explore how to create tie-dye patterns in a Shibori style.

Use all your new skills to design and dye your own unique cotton scarf.

This extended workshop is a great way to treat yourself or to buy for a loved one!

Tickets cost £60 including all materials, expert instruction and light refreshments. Please let us know of any access requirements when booking. 

This time slot includes a break of approximately 30 minutes for lunch. We recommend bringing your own packed lunch.

Book Have a Dabble Masterclass: Wonderful Woad (18+)